Wax and Bubbles

Along with internal health benefits, olive oil is a preferred method for moisturizing and cleansing the skin.

Facts:

• According to the Hebrew Bible, the first recorded oil extraction took place during the Exodus.

• There is evidence that olive oil helps prevent the mental decline that comes with age.

• Olive oil should be used as a substitute for other fats, not an addition to them.

• More than 750 million olive trees are cultivated worldwide.

• “Virgin” olive oil can provide heart-healthy benefits such as favorable effects on cholesterol regulation.

• The English world “oil” is a derivation of the Anglo-French word for “olive oil”.

• Many ancient olive presses exist in the Eastern Mediterranean region, some of which date back to teh Roman period and are still in use today.

• According to the ledgend, the city of Athens obtained its name because Athenians considered olive oil essentail and chose the offering of an olive tree from the goddess Athena.

You can concoct simple skin care recipes right in your kitchen. Try these mini beauty treatments…

Bath: For a moisturizing, aromatic soak, add about ¼ cup olive oil and several drops of essential oil to your bathwater. I like lavender oil for relaxation just before bedtime. (As with any bath oil, be careful as the tub may become slippery.)

Skin: Gently massage a small amount of olive oil anywhere your skin is dry: face, elbows, feet, or legs.

Hands: Whip up a quick sugar scrub for rough, dry hands. Combine two tablespoons of oil with two tablespoons of sugar. Rub on until sugar begins to dissolve. Rinse with warm water. Voila! Silky-smooth hands.

Feet: Apply a liberal amount of oil to feet at bedtime. Cover with cotton socks. Not sexy… but oh-so-soft feet in the morning! The magic works for hands, too. Cover with white cotton gloves (hmm, even less sexy).

Face: Create a moisturizing facial mask with olive oil, honey, and an egg yolk. Beat until well blended and apply to face… then relax! Leave on for 15 minutes; rinse with warm water.

Nails: Warm a small dish of olive oil (not too hot) with a tablespoon of lemon juice. Soak nails for 5- 10 minutes. This softens cuticles while it strengthens nails.

Hair: For a simple oil treatment, warm several tablespoons of olive oil (again, not hot). Rub into scalp and hair. Cover with a shower cap or plastic baggie. Leave on for 20-30 minutes.

For extra conditioning, mix an egg yolk with the olive oil… but do not warm. This is great for dry hair and split ends. It may even heal dandruff. Shampoo twice after this treatment or you’ll smell like raw egg!

Lips: Alleviate chapped lips with straight olive oil. Dab on lips… especially helpful at bedtime.(Sources: Skin 2007; Natural Skin Care Secrets)

**Over at Encouraging Health, Brick O’Neal tells of “Surprising things that give you headaches”. Read what they are here.**